Despite no batting, Smith ‘in best shape’
Australia’s Steve Smith admitted on Monday he has barely picked up bat since cricket shut down, but said he was in his best physical shape in years.
The 30-year-old, the world’s No 1 Test batsman, has been out of action since March, when Australia’s ODI series against New Zealand was abandoned due to the coronavirus pandemic.
He returned to training with his New South Wales teammates on Monday as they await the green light for competitive cricket to start again, targeting a home one-day series against Zimbabwe in August. “I feel like I’ve had a pre-season the last couple of months. Got myself into probably the best shape I’ve been in years. Lots of running, lots of gym stuff,” Smith said.
“It’s been a couple of months of good hard work and now back with the boys, which is great.”
But with no net practice, he has barely picked up his bat.
“I haven’t touched a bat, really. A couple of little drills at home but that’s about it,” said Smith, who has plundered more than 7,000 Test runs.
“I was just focusing on getting myself fit and strong and refreshing mentally. It’s been a bit different but I’m sure in the long run it will probably be a good thing to freshen up after what was a pretty long year-and-a-half since the World Cup and Ashes and summer here. I’m refreshed and ready to go,” he added.
He was one of six Cricket Australia-contracted players in the New South Wales squad who rejoined their teammates Monday, including David Warner, Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon.
SRI LANKA CRICKET TEAM BEGINS TRAINING
Sri Lanka’s national team trained together on Monday for the first time in more than two-and-a-half months ahead of a potential restart of the international game, skipper Dimuth Karunaratne said.
“I think it is high time to train ourselves and get back to our fitness level and skill levels,” the captain said. “We want to start international cricket. That’s why we are starting practice.”
A 13-member squad, mostly of bowlers, began a 12-day training session with indoor fitness drills on Monday. Ground training will start on Tuesday.
RABADA COMMITTED TO SOUTH AFRICA
Fast bowler Kagiso Rabada says he is fully committed to playing for South Africa after a difficult 2019-20 season in which he felt “out of place” and incurred a one-test ban. By his own admission, below par in the last South African summer. “I am 150 per cent fully committed to playing for South Africa,” he said in an interview released by Cricket South Africa on Monday.
“The past season was a disappointment, even though my stats were OK. I just felt really rusty and out of place. I am taking it day by day to achieve my new set of goals. It’s passion,” Rabada said.